Thanks to BAE Systems' "Hawk News" for the following items.
On 21 August 1974 Duncan Simpson, Chief Test Pilot HSA Dunsfold,
performed the maiden flight of the first Hawk, XX154. On 5 July 2006
Duncan Simpson, long since retired from test flying, flew with Sq Ldr
Tony Clements from RAF Valley in a Hawk TMk1 to mark the millionth RAF
Hawk flying hour.
The Hawk development aircraft, ZJ951, was on static display throughout
Farnborough 2006 where it demonstrated to potential operators the
functioning of the Mk 128 AJT's (Advanced Jet Trainer) three
multi-function displays (MFDs), the head-up display (HUD) and the
hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls with an operational flight
programme (OFP) designed to show the capabilities of the simulated
air-to-air radar and electro-optical sensors as well as moving map
coverage.
The Bahrain Defence Force has formally accepted the first of its six
Mk129 aircraft, BT003. BT001 and 002 are being used at BAE Systems'
Technical Training Academy to train Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF)
maintenance technicians. The Mk129 is powered by the Adour Mk951 with
full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and, with its MFDs, HUDs
and HOTAS will prepare RBAF pilots for the F-16.
The South
African Department of Defence has taken delivery of its first of 24
Hawk Mk 120 Lead-in-Fighter (LIF) trainers. Except for the first
aircraft (SA001), used for development flying, all Mk120s are being
assembled by Denel at Kempton Park near Johannesburg. Denel is also the
exclusive manufacturer of tailplanes, airbrakes and flaps for all new
Hawks. The Mk 120 will lead SAAF pilots into their Gripen fighters.
The Hawk Mk128 AJT (RT001) has completed a very successful tour of
India and, with the Red Arrows, the Middle East and Greece. Starting in
Goa the AJT moved on to Muscat in Oman, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dharan in
Saudi Arabia and Elefsis near Athens.
The NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) programme with 21 Hawk Mk 115
advanced jet trainers has been operational since 2000 at bases in
Saskatchewan and Alberta. The training programme is currently used by
the UK, Canada, Denmark, Singapore, Italy, Hungary and the United Arab
Emirates.
Australia's Hawk Mk 127 LIFs now have two new 'radar' systems: radar
simulation and radar emulation. Radar simulation, housed in the nose,
gives the operator a system that looks and feels like airborne radar
without the cost, maintenance and weight penalties. The software mimics
to the pilot that he has a radar and exhibits all the characteristics
of such a system, sharing the aircraft's positional data with other
'players'. Each 'player' knows where the other aircraft are and targets
are displayed as a return on the MFD in the Hawk's front cockpit. Radar
emulation, in a centreline pod, allows the Hawk to emit a radar
frequency signature that is different from its own, fooling detection
systems into believing that it represents a particular threat,
providing the Royal Australian Navy with training against various
threats.